The Electoral Hub (TEH) has raised concern over the delay in the passage of the Electoral Act Amendment bill pending before the National Assembly.
The bill seeks to reduce the cost of elections, ensure the deployment of effective election technology and include stringent punishment for violators of electoral laws.
It also seeks to increase the political participation of women and youths, among others, which will be crucial in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
Team Lead at TEH, Princess Hamman-Obels, noted that the delay suggests that federal lawmakers ‘have no interest in safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the electoral process’.
‘We all know that Nigeria is in a volatile and fragile state presently. Therefore, to ensure peaceful and credible elections, the Electoral Act Amendment Bill must be passed now’, The Guardian quoted Hamman-Obels as saying.
‘I [do not] think INEC has any hand in the refusal of the National Assembly to pass the new Act. In my opinion, INEC desires the passage of the new legislative framework more than we do.
‘The laudable efforts of INEC during the Ondo and Edo governorship elections demonstrate the commission’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.
‘Also, my conversations with some staff of the commission revealed that INEC is frustrated with the delay in the passage of the new Act.
‘This delay is actually impeding INEC in carrying out relevant activities.
‘For instance, should INEC conduct training with the old law or the anticipated new law? What about the printing of materials – what law should guide and be stated in these materials?
‘What about engagement with the public – what should these engagements be anchored on? On voters’ education – what should be the messaging? Literally, every aspect of INEC’s work is affected’.
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, had said in February 2021 that the 2023 elections would record significant reduction in electoral violence while assuring the passage of the amended Electoral Act in June.
Lawan gave the assurance while responding to questions after delivering a lecture at the National Defence College, Course 29 Programme, in Abuja.
‘Our intention in the National Assembly with this is to further sanitise the electoral environment, and empower the election management body to conduct seamless, transparent and very open sort of election where a winner is very happy that he is a winner and a looser will be glad that he lost in a very fair contest’, he said.
‘So, we are working on this and we hope that the 2023 general elections will see less of electoral violence because the law itself would have been further improved’.
Source: The Guardian
Photo source: NASS
